1. LESSON 1: GENERAL CONCEPT OF SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND
SOCIETY
LESSON 1. General Concepts and STS Historical Development
A. Learning Outcomes:
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Discussed the interactions between science and technology throughout history;
Discussed how scientific and technological developments affect society and the environment; and
Identified the paradigm shifts in history.
B. Key Concepts
1. Introduction to Science, Technology, and Society
a) Science can be defined by the following:
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Science as an idea. It includes ideas, theories, and all available systematic explanations and
observations about the natural and physical world.
Science as an intellectual activity. It encompasses a systematic and practical study of the natural
and physical world. This process of study involves systematic observation and experimentation.
Science as a body of knowledge. It is a subject or a discipline, a field of study, or a body of
knowledge that deals with the process of learning about the natural and physical world. This is
what we refer to as school science.
Science as a personal and social activity. This explains that science is both knowledge and
activities done by human beings to develop better understanding of the world around them. It is
to improve life and to survive in life. It is interwoven in people`s lives.
The Oxford dictionary defines technology as “the application of scientific knowledge for practical
purposes, especially in industry.” Technology uses science to solve problems, and science uses technology
to make new discoveries.
Technology is used to increase efficiency, growth and profitability of interactions—it also saves time and
effort. Humans use technology to travel, to communicate, to learn, to do business and to live in comfort.
However, technology has also caused us concerns. Technology impacts the environment, people and the
society. The way we use technology determines if its impacts are positive to the society or negative
b) Fundamental Difference between Science and Technology
Science (Theory)
Search for knowledge
Way of understanding ourselves and the physical
world
Process of asking questions and finding answers,
then creating broad generalizations
Looks for order or patterns in the physical world
Evaluated by how well the facts support the
conclusion or theory
Limited by the ability to collect relevant facts
Discoveries give rise to technological advances
Technology (Practice)
Practical application of knowledge
Way of adapting ourselves to the physical world
Process of finding solutions to human problems to
make lives easier and better
Looks for ways to control the physical world
Evaluated by how well it works
Limited by financial costs and safety concerns
Advances give rise to scientific discoveries
According to sociologists, a Society is a group of people with common territory, interaction, and culture.
Scientific and technological advances can have a profound effect on society and the environment.
Together, advances in science, engineering, and technology can have—and indeed have had—profound
effects on human society, in such areas as agriculture, transportation, health care, and communication,
and on the natural environment.
c) Historical Antecedents in which Social Considerations Changed the Course of Science and
Technology
The development of S&T is as old as mankind. It started long before the prehistoric times. Science
and technology indeed play major roles in the everyday life. They make difficult and complicated tasks
easier and allow people to do more with so little effort and time. The developments in this field are not
just products of people`s imagination or a one-time process; they are also brought about by gradual
improvements to earlier works from different time periods. The driving force behind this continuous
progress is the desire to raise the quality of life of people.
d) HISTORICAL TIMELINE
Year
5000 BCE –
1750 BCE
Civilization
Sumeria
Contribution
1. Cuneiform writing system
(Located on the
southernmost tip of
ancient Mesopotamia,
in the Tigris and
Euphrates valley)
The cuneiform writing system consists of word pictures and
triangular symbols. The Sumerian language had about 550
characters and was used for thousands of years in the Middle
East which were inscribed on clay tablets and preserved.
The writing system allowed Sumerians to keep record of things
with great value.
2. The Uruk City (located in Iraq as of the present)
It is considered to be the first true city in the world. It was built
with mud and clay from the river, and mixed with reeds
producing sun-baked bricks.
The city was Built for protection from harsh weather conditions
and wild animals.
3. The Great Ziggurat of Ur
It is also known as “The Mountain of God”. It was constructed
with the same materials as the city of Uruk.
This served as the sacred place of their chief god, where only
their priests were allowed to enter.
4. Irrigation and Dikes
Due to population increase, mass production of crops is needed
that is why irrigation and dikes where built.
Also, it gave solution to the problems of flooding and difficulty
of getting water from the rivers. Through dikes and canals,
Sumerians enjoy year-long farming and harvesting
5. Sailboat
Sailboat is used to carry large quantities of products and were
able to cover large distance. It is essential in transportation,
trading as well as fostering culture, information and technology.
6. Wheel
Made for farm work and food processes. With its invention,
farmers were able to mill grains with less effort in less time
thereby mass production was made easier.
1895-539 BC
The Babylonian
Civilization
Wheels are considered to be the longest-used invention and had
the biggest influence on the development of modern civilization.
It also gave rise to the invention of carts that came into common
use by 2000 BC.
7. The Plow
It is used for farm cultivation. In which, it could cover larger
parcels of land enabling mass production.
1. The Hanging Gardens (exact location is unknown)
It is said that, King Nebuchadnezzar II built the gardens for his
wife, Queen Amytis. It consists of tiers of gardens with several
species of plants, trees, and vines.
2. Code of Hammurabi
Hammurabi, the King of Babylonian Empire (1792-1750 B.C.),
is the first law giver of the world. The Code of Hammurabi
consists of 282 rules (standards, set of fines and punishment)
Example: An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth
3. Lunar Calendar
5500 B.C.E
The lunar calendar is a one-year calendar that is divided into
twelve (12) months and each month was divided into thirty (30)
days.
Egyptian Civilization 1. Papyrus (Cyperus papyrus)
The paper of the Egyptians that was used for record-keeping and
for communication. It is also an easier safe-keeping of records
that were often destroyed by raiders.
2. Hieroglyphics
It is the writing system of the Egyptians wherein they believed
that it was provided by their gods. The writings were carved at
the walls of the pyramids and other structures.
It was used to keep records of Egyptians history and culture.
3. Ink
It is made up of combination of soot with different chemicals to
produce ink of different colors.
4. Cosmetics
The Egyptians cosmetic called “kohl” is made up of malachite,
lead and oil. It is used for sun protection.
For the Egyptians, make-up was a protection from evil, and
beauty is a sign of holiness.
5. Wig
Uses:
Worn for health and wellness rather than for aesthetic purposes
Protection from sun’s rays
Prevents the accumulation of head lice
6. Water Clock/ Clypsedra
It is an ancient device for measuring time by gradual flow of
water.
How does it function?
Utilizes gravity that affects the flow of water from one
vessel to the other.
800 B.C.
Ancient Greek
Civilization
The amount of water remaining in the device determines
how much time has elapsed
1. Alarm Clock
The alarm clock Made use of water that dropped into drums
which sounded the alarm.
Use:
Purpose was to tell an individual when to stop or when to start
things. (especially in solving a case)
2. Water Mill
The water mill only require access to rivers or flowing water
where a mechanism of a large wheel with small “buckets” of
water attached to it could be installed.
Use:
Commonly used in agricultural processes like milling of grains
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27 B.C.
Mass production of rice, cereals, flours, etc.
Require less effort and time to operate
1. Newspapers
The Roman
Civilization (perceived
to be the strongest
First newspapers (Gazettes) contained announcements of the
political and social
Roman Empire. It contained the published minutes of
entity in the west, it proceedings of the Roman Senate. With its production, people
became a model in
have easier access to government information.
terms of legislation
and codified laws)
2. Codex (First Bound books)
Earlier covers were made of wax and later on replaced by animal
skin.
Use:
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Used in literatures
Record-keeping, documenting historical events and newly
legislated laws
3. Roman Architecture (one of the most visual contribution of the
empire)
It is considered to be a continuation of Greek architecture but
sturdier and stronger infrastructures. Romans were able to
redesign old architectural patterns to adapt to new trends.
E.g. Cathedrals, Basilicas, aqueducts, coliseums, amphitheaters,
and residential houses
4. Roman Numerals (developed about 500 B.C.E.)
1600-221 B.C. Chinese Civilization
Used to address the need for a standard counting method that
would meet the increasing communication and trade concerns.
1.Silk
(Considered to be the Naturally produced by silk worms.
oldest in Asia; cradle
of Chinese civilization Silk trade opened China to the outside world making way for
is at the Yellow River- cultural, economic, and scientific exchanges and bridged gap
Huang Ho.)
between the west and the middle kingdom.
2. Tea Production
Use:
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Used as herbal drink
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Used in many rituals
Due to demand, they came up with a machine able to shred tea
leaves into strips – this increased tea production and trade with
other nations.
3. The Great Wall (Approximately 21, 196 km long)
Considered to be the largest and most extensive infrastructure
that China built. It is made with stone, brick, wood, mud, and
other materials. Divided China from the rest of the world
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Built for protection and border control
Today, it still continues to be a world attraction due to its
historical significance and architectural grandeur
4. Gunpowder
It was developed by Chinese alchemists to achieve immortality.
It is mixture of charcoal, sulfur, and potassium nitrate.
Use:
5th to
15th Century
Middle Ages
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Used to propel bullets from guns and cannons
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Preferred by raiders who plan to attack at a distance
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Used to dissipate attempts of invasion
Used in fireworks during significant events in China, to
celebrate blessings and drive away evil spirits.
1. Printing Press
Medieval times- fall of Invented by Johannes Gutenberg (idea of printing press is from
the Roman Empire and the wine press).
beginning of
Renaissance- birth of It is made up of a utilized wooden machine attached to it is a
ideas, catholic church, metal impression of the letters and pressed firmly the cast metal
rise of Islam, arts and into a piece of paper which made an exact impression on paper.
architecture, and
economics and society. Significance:
Geared towards discoveries in navigation, weaponry due
to prevalent wars, mass food and crop production, health
Trade and commerce increased resulted in greater
demands for transportation technology
First to be printed is the Bible (1456) with 150 copies
2. Microscope
Developed by Zacharias Janssen (Guided by the principles used
for the invention of eyeglasses in earlier years).
Use:
Used for observation of organisms that were normally
unseen by the naked eye
Used to discovering new means of preventing and curing
various illnesses
3. Refracting Telescope
First discovered by Hans Lippershey (1608) of Holland.
Galileo Galilei (1609), known as the Father of Modern
Science, first used the telescope in astronomy. (Galileo proved
that the Earth revolved around the Sun which was supported by
Nicolaus Copernicus)
Significance:
It opened new insights of outer space exploration
4. War Weapons
Since war is widespread, great development in weaponry also
occurred.
18th Century- up Modern Times
to present
Increase in population
demanded more goods
to be produced at a
faster rate, need of
efficient
transportation, faster
and easier means of
communication, and
massive
industrialization.
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Made for offensive and defensive techniques
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Includes cross bows, long bows for long ranges attacks
Body armors were also made for protection in close range
hand-to-hand combat
1. The Watt`s Steam Engine
Invented by James Watt (1736-1819), a Scottish inventor and
mechanical engineer.
The stem engine became the key power source of the Industrial
Revolution.
2. Pasteurization
Invented by Louis Pasteur (1822-1895).
Pasteurization is a process of heat processing a liquid or a food to
kill pathogenic bacteria to make the food safe to eat.
Bigger challenges such
as health were of great Significance:
concern.
This has helped reduce transmission of diseases i.e.
typhoid fever, tuberculosis, dysentery, etc.
3. Phonograph, motion picture camera, and long-lasting electric
light bulb
Invented by Thomas Alva Edison an American inventor,
scientist, and businessman.
4. Oil Refinery
Samuel M. Kier was the first to invent kerosene by refining
petroleum.
World’s first oil refinery in Romania (1856)
Use:
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It was first used to illuminate homes
At present, petroleum is widely used in powering
automobiles, factories, power plants and others
5. Telephone (1876)
Alexander Graham Bell was able to successfully apply a patent
for the telephone. (Credit were given to him although there were
earlier versions of the telephone.)
6. Mechanical Calculator
Invented by Blaise Pascal in 1642. The mechanical calculator
performs basic operations of arithmetic.
7. X-rays
Wilhelm Roentgen (1845-1923) was able to discover x-ray when
he was working with electrical discharges in glass tubes and
noticed that there was a faint glow on a nearby screen.
8. Health (Penicillin)
Penicillin by Alexander Fleming (this discovery led to the
introduction of antibiotics).
The challenge of mass-producing this drug was daunting. On
March 14, 1942, the first patient was treated for streptococcal
septicemia with US-made penicillin produced by Merck & Co.
TOP 5 FILIPINO INVENTIONS
1. Salamander Amphibious Tricycle by Dominic Chung and Lamberto Armada
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Can run both land and on water (can sail on flooded streets)
Run by electric motor or a gasoline engine
2. Salt Lamp (Sustainable Alternative Lighting Lamp) by Aisa Mijeno
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Environment-friendly light source that runs on saltwater
No risk of fire and no emission of toxic gases
Beneficial for far-flung barrios by mixing two tablespoons of salt and a glass of tap water
3. Medical Incubator by Dr. Fe Del Mundo
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She devised a medical incubator made by putting native laundry basket inside a bigger one. (To
remedy high mortality of new born babies)
Hot water bottles were inserted between the baskets to provide warmth
4. Mosquito Ovicidal/Larvicidal Trap System
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User and environment friendly
The idea is to attract Aedes aegypti to lay their eggs on the paddle
The trap creates optimum conditions for the mosquito to lay their eggs
Carandang, Alicia and Josie Pondevida
5. E-Jeepney
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Utilizes electricity instead of diesel
Environment-friendly since it does not emit any smoke and noise